11 dead as boat capsizes during idol immersion

International Desk: At least 11 persons drowned as a boat capsized in lower lake in Bhopal of India during Ganesh idol immersion early Friday morning.

According to police, at least 19 persons from Piplani area in Bhopal had set out in two boats at around 5 am to immerse a huge Ganesh idol with the help of a crane at Khatlapura ghat.

When one of the two boats capsized, some of the victims from one boat jumped onto to the second boat – causing loss of balance of the relatively stable boat and further capsizing it.

Eleven bodies have been recovered while six people have been rescued so far, police said. A search operation is underway.

Deputy inspector general of police, Bhopal Irshad Wali confirmed the death of 11 persons.

According to DIG, Bhopal Irashad Wali, an FIR was lodged by Jehangirabad police station against two boatmen Akash Batham and Changu Batham under section 304-A (Causing death by negligence) of Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The deceased have been identified as Parvez Khan, 15, Rohit Mourya, 30, Karan, 16, Harsh, 20, Sunny Thakre, 22, Rahul Verma, 30, Vikky, 28, Vishal, 22, Arjun Sharma, 18, Rahul Mishra, 20, and Karan,26, all residents of 100 Quarters, Piplani, Bhopal.

Public relations minister PC Sharma has ordered a high-level inquiry into the matter.

He said it needs to be inquired as to how so many people were allowed to carry the idol in the boats.

District collector, Bhopal, Tarun Kumar Pithode announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased.

Terming it unfortunate, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. He said that those found guilty will be punished.

Source: Agencies

risingbd/Sept 13, 2019/Mukul